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Envirocare now says it won’t bid to receive radioactive waste from a facility in Ohio until the state of Utah determines the material can be stored safely and securely.
That’s a step in the right direction, but is it enough?
Until recently, very few Utahns had heard about Fernald, Ohio with its stockpile of radioactive waste. Then it comes to light that Utah Congressman Rob Bishop, a former paid lobbyist for Envirocare, managed to fast track some legislation needed to let Envirocare accept the Fernald waste. Then, as opposition surfaces, Envirocare claims the waste isn’t any “hotter” than that already accepted. Then a series of experts comes forth to say phooey, it is indeed hotter. Then we learn of enormous financial incentives for the contractor to get the stuff moved by a designated deadline. Then, with all that money on the line, we learn of more backroom efforts to grease the skids for reclassifying the waste so it can be shipped to Utah.
Frankly, it appears someone is trying to pull a fast one, even though Congressman Bishop and Envirocare, in the face of mounting public pressure, have slowed down the process.
KSL firmly believes any radioactive material hotter than what is currently approved for storage at Envirocare should not come Utah’s way. In our view, that includes the waste from Fernald, Ohio.
